<p>So far I’ve been accepted to USC, IIT, Syracuse, Rice, and WUSTL and I’m still waiting for CMU, which is my first choice.</p>
<p>To be honest, I don’t really know what their programs are like, other than the fact that CMU is more art-oriented and IIT is more technical-oriented. But even this doesn’t seem true anymore, having read some old posts…</p>
<p>Personally, I prefer an art-oriented program that has a minimal amount of math required. I don’t mind studying Physics and I enjoy learning about architectural history.</p>
<p>So… I was wondering, which school would be the most suitable? (Although I haven’t been accepted to CMU yet…)</p>
<p>So my answers will be rather unhelpful, as most of my knowledge of arch schools are at the graduate level. However, I do know that Rice is an EXTREMELY small department. Their grad program really pushes theory, though that may be wholly different from the undergrad program. A good way to get a sense of what schools are like is to look at the course requirements (how many structures/materials, or history/theory are required to graduate?). And I always thought that CMU was more math (not necess. tech) related.</p>
<p>USC’s arch department told me that the highest level of math required is Pre-calc. I went inside the studios, looked like the kids were more design oriented, since there were models and drawings everywhere and not so many calculations (as far as i saw, anyway). Arch students are also required to take arch. history freshman year at USC.</p>
<p>I’d say look at student work for each of the programs as well as review sites, and then maybe decide from there.</p>
<p>Syracuse requires almost no math or science…only one class in one or the other. And you can place out of that if you got at least a 3 on the Calculus AP. And it’s a very good program…great professors, class content and facilities. The students are smart, talented and dedicated.</p>
<p>I went to WUSTL’s architecture program in the summer, and from what the students said, everything is very design based. They are also very into sustainibility, energy and material conversation, etc. I think you still need to take Calculus, but if youve taken the BC test then you might be waived, not too sure. Also, they have a M.Arch program, so its not AS rigorous as a BArch program might be, in my opinion; I do know that they are very flexible, if you decide that architecture is not for you, then they will let you change to another school. Overall, I feel like it is very art based.</p>
<p>I also heard from my friend, who attended CMU’s summer diversity program for art, that Carnegie Mellon/s arch. is quite art based, your portfolio is very heavily considered in your application, like 50%.</p>
<p>laure327, congrats on all of your acceptances. I would also suggest that you make some phone calls, to each department, and ask questions. You have been accepted so they should be willing to talk to you, and I hope they might also put you in touch with a current or recent student who might answer your questions. Good luck and I hope you get the CMU nod.</p>
<p>I am in sort of the same position- waiting to hear from CMU (first choice) but liking all of my other options as well. Try to look at the curriculums of each school, and see if you can find differences there, or look at study-abroad options, if that is important to you. Also, I disagree that CMU is art-based. When I visited, they stressed that it is a very “balanced” curriculum - equal “art/creative” and “technicality”. </p>
<p>@einnob- There is no way a portfolio is worth 50% of admission - it’s not even a requirement. Perhaps your friend is thinking of the school of design.</p>
<p>Anyway, laure, congrats on all the acceptances. You’ll definitely receive a great education at any of those schools!</p>
<p>Your questions on math classes in architecture is a good one - many aspiring architects want to know.</p>
<p>But…you can’t escape math in a professional architecture program. Some of the classes that are not called math, are exactly that - MATH.</p>
<p>Take structures, for example. Steel and Concrete, usually two separate courses, are all math. It’s calculating the structure of a building. So is statics and strength of materials - but that class is usually more physics oriented than straight math like the other structure classes.</p>
<p>Many people who go to architecture school can’t get past some of these classes and eventually drop out.</p>
<p>When you go and work in an architectural office, there’s lots of math involved and very little theory. </p>
<p>When you take the licensing exam, you have to take structures, which is definitely some math. So are other parts of the exam.</p>
<p>Hopefully this info is of some help. It is from my experience of having obtained a B. Arch, and working in the field for quite a while already.</p>
<p>@ Arctic92, einnob,
I heard that CMU has a very similar curriculum to that of Cornell… If this is true, does anyone have a solid knowledge of the curriculum at Cornell?</p>
<p>@ NYCHADesign,
Thank you so much for your comment! It was very inspirational. I knew I had to some math for architecture but to be honest, I didn’t want to. You’re absolutely right. Although it might be painful learning math in college (I’m a little scared…), I think I need to, for my own good. :P</p>
<p>I have one more question,
what are the main architectural physics topics covered in the courses?</p>
<p>From what I recall, the physics (related) topics have a lot to do with the strength of materials, and the point at which they fail. I remember plotting the parabolic path of steel elements and determining the point of failure. Lots of calculating maximum moments.</p>
<p>Many architects also have to do a lot of estimating of quantities of materials and prices for reviews of bids. So the math you may end up doing isn’t all purely structural in nature.</p>
<p>Budgets are another aspect that architects deal with constantly. It would help to take a business course or two as electives if possible. Architects come out of school woefully under-educated in this area. But it’s a necessary thing to learn as most architectural offices are small businesses. I work in government, and it’s lots of budget planning, so a familiarity with capital budget accounting is also required.</p>
<p>And lastly, you don’t want a contractor pulling the wool over your eyes, so to speak. You want to go in there knowing what everything costs. </p>